Kolli inn prúði (Kolli)

According to Skáldatal (SnE 1848-87III, 255, 263, 277), Kolli inn prúði ‘the Bold’ (Kolli) was one of the poets who commemorated Ingi Haraldsson (d. 1161; see ‘Royal Biographies’ in Introduction to this vol.). Otherwise he is entirely unknown, as is his nationality.

You fought a point-storm [BATTLE] east by Minne, and, ruler, soon thereafter the host beneath the helmet furnished raven’s food [CORPSES] with swords. You crashed shields together and, brave, you refused mercy to the byrnie; lord, as a youth you defended your land.

His entire host lay on the field before the ring-generous lord [= Magnús] would retreat. …The battle-skilled king heaven…. The war-eager ruler of the Þrœndir [NORWEGIAN KING = Ingi] cleft asunder the painted shields around Magnús; prince, you were given twice as much luck.

I shall describe how the ruler reddened bright wound-icicles [SWORDS]; the raven bent over the wounds of the Gautar; not seldom did the eagle sate itself. The strengtheners of the racket of swords [(lit. ‘racket-strengtheners of swords’) BATTLE > WARRIORS] who caused strife were repaid in Sörbygden; there is proof of your power.

The red snow-flakes of the roar of weapons [BATTLE > BLOOD] drifted when men split shields before the ruler, before battle-eager Magnús fell. No one mourns the slaying of Sigurðr, because you, Ingi, are fully entitled to rule the land; the pool of weapons [BLOOD] fell persistently onto the bottom-boards.

The very corpse-heap floated ashore and you, brave prince, put an end to the whole fast of Muninn <raven>; indeed I praise that. The encounter with the eagle was especially welcome to the brood of the wolf in wide Langösund; famous men reddened ship-planks.